Alex Ferguson has let loose on Roy Keane in his new autobiography, calling his explosive MUTV interview a "disgrace."
Keane attacked his fellow players after a 4-1 defeat to Middlesborough in late 2005. Ferguson says that Keane "slaughtered" his teammates and way "overstepped the mark" and "had begun to think he was the United manager"
At Keane's suggestion, the players gathered to watch the interview. Afterwards, Keane stood up and rounded on Ruud van Nistelrooy, Edwin van der Saar and assistant manager Carlos Quieroz.
He reveals that the Corkman then accused Ferguson himself of bringing his private life into the affairs of the club because of his dispute with John Magnier over Rock of Gibraltar.
"Roy asked the players whether they had anything to say about what they had just seen. Edwin van der Sar said yes. He told Roy was out of line criticising his teammates. So Roy attacked Edwin. Who did he think he was, what did Edwin know about Manchester United? Van Nistelrooy, to his credit, piped up to support Van der Sar, so Roy rounded on Ruud. Then he started on Carlos. But he saved the best for me.
"'You brought your private life into the club with your argument with Magnier,'"
Ferguson added, “The hardest past of Roy’s body is his tongue... It was frightening to watch. And I’m from Glasgow.”
Fergie also used the words "intimidating and ferocious" to describe Keane and Carlos Quiroz said it was the worst scene he had ever witnessed at a football club.
"At that point, players started walking out. What I noticed about Roy that day as I was arguing with him was that his eyes started to narrow, almost to wee black beads. It was frightening to watch. I never understood his obsession with the Rock of Gibraltar affair.
"After Roy had left, Carlos saw I was quite upset. 'He needs to go, Carlos,' I said. 'One hundred per cent,' he said. 'Get rid of him.'"
According to Ferguson, Keane and Van Nistelrooy had to be separated after a brawl but he also noted that many players lacked the courage to stand up to Keane.
He wrote "There were episodes of great friction and drama as he (Keane) tried to impose his will on the team. On one occasion, as I came into the dressing room, Roy and Ruud van Nistelrooy were at it, hammer and tongs. They had to be pulled apart by the players. At least Van Nistelrooy had the courage to stand up to Roy, because not everyone did."
In an echo of the Saipan incident, Keane was critical of the pre-season facility United were staying in in Portugal in summer '05. Keane "erupted" when they discussed the issue.
He added that "Him (Keane) leaving was the best thing that could have happened." Ferguson says the physio used to ask what kind of mood Keane was in that day "because it would affect whole dressing room. That was how influential he was in our daily lives."
Ferguson also revealed that he'd convinced Keane to make peace with McCarthy in Saipan but McCarthy's comments at the press conference killed all that.
